Kingston house readied to assist homeless vets

KINGSTON — By year's end, Ulster veterans who've fallen on tough times will have a place to temporarily call home.

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By Michael Novinson

recordonline.com

By Michael Novinson

Posted Apr. 27, 2013 at 2:00 AM
Updated Apr 27, 2013 at 7:15 AM

By Michael Novinson

Posted Apr. 27, 2013 at 2:00 AM
Updated Apr 27, 2013 at 7:15 AM

» Social News

KINGSTON — By year's end, Ulster veterans who've fallen on tough times will have a place to temporarily call home.

A former state home in the Rondout is being renovated to serve as emergency housing for up to 10 homeless veterans.

It will be the only facility between Westchester and Saratoga counties offering transitional housing for veterans.

"We have an obligation to show our appreciation for their service with meaningful action," said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein when publicly unveiling the idea in January.

The home is large enough to serve Ulster County's entire homeless veteran population at any given time, said Steve Massee, director of the county's veterans services agency.

According to agency statistics, approximately six-10 Ulster County veterans seek emergency housing assistance at any given time. Veterans will be able to stay at the 67 Wurts St. house for up to a year, though Massee hopes most will be able to get back on their feet sooner.

Aiding that effort will be an on-site case manager linking residents to job opportunities, substance abuse counseling or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Homelessness among veterans tends to be a situational rather than chronic issue, Massee said, often arising from a recent return from combat, post-traumatic stress disorder, or the loss of a caretaker.

Hein and Massee said it's too early to know how much it will cost to renovate and operate the 4,372-square-foot home.

The county received the keys Wednesday after filing the deed and assuming ownership.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill in August approving the transfer of the home from Ulster-Greene ARC to the county for $1. The facility was used as a group home until 2011.

The county will apply its share of the proceeds from the sale of the SUNY Ulster president's house — nearly $168,000 — to the veterans' home, and Hein said additional funds would be made available as needed.

Extensive work is required before veterans can move in, Massie said. The roof needs replacing, the kitchen needs gutting and renovating, and the bedrooms need to be resized. Leaks from the roof were so severe that there aren't plans for using the third floor in the foreseeable future.

Veterans are already chipping in to help the new home.

Five-year Army veteran Harold Rosenkranse lives just a few blocks away and has been stopping by frequently to mow the lawn, trim the bushes and clean up litter. "We've got to do what we can for the veterans," he said.